Gav's Meng Bradley & Tamiya TUSK Abrams Build

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 2:00 pm

So for this SiG I will also be building the cracking Meng M2A3 Bradley kit. In conjunction with this I will be building the Tamiya M1A2 Abrams TUSK II kit and will be adding this to a diorama base with some figures. I have a few MB sets of figs for this build, some US AFV crew and a "Cordon & Search" set of modern US figs.

I need to get some of the kits from our self store unit, and once I have all the kits together I will get a picture up.

Really looking forward to this after doing the AFV Club Paladin a few months back.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 5:28 pm

And here is the promised picture of the kits I will be building for this SiG.

The Meng Bradley and Tamiya Abrams TUSK II. I aim to model it as if the tank and AFV have stopped for a possible IED up ahead. So will have the infantry ahead of the vehicles, with the tank crew out of their tank having a chat further back.

I was almost tempted to wait for Mengs Bomb Disposal figure set to be released, but that will be a touch too far!

Post by **robertw** » Thu Jan 01, 2015 3:50 am

Man this sig is going to result in some awesome builds!

Post by **timtamtung** » Thu Jan 01, 2015 4:18 am

Gav mate, this looks like a cracker. let's help each other out on the tusk II hehe.

Can't wait to see you start this build. Cool figures!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 5:00 pm

Update 1

Right oh! So here we go, first build of 2015 and first entry into a GB or SiG for me in a while. The last few weren't areas I was so fussed about, plus what with me moving house etc, I didn't have the time anyway to work to deadlines. But now I should be able to.

So as I mentioned before I will be building Tamiyas M1A2 Abrams TUSK II kit, alongside the fantastic Meng Bradley. I decided to start with the less involved build, the Abrams. I have built the Tamiya Challenger 2 kit, which is fantastic, and this is on par with that. And being similarly shaped vehicles, the build follows much the same route. One notable difference is that the torsion bar axles are moulded on the lower hull already, but this just makes life a little easier!

I will do a reference/background post in the future, so for now, update 1 of the build!

First of all, proof that the kit was unstarted at the time of posting.

Kit instructions. I will be doing variant "B" as shown near the top of the left hand page. This depicts a vehicle of the 68th Armoured Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in Iraq. No date is given. I chose this, as the Meng kit comes with a decal option for a Bradley from this same unit. By using this variant I will be depicting a vehicle with the TUSK I upgrade, not TUSK II. So the armoured skirts are the plain blocks, not the "flower pot" style as seen on TUSK II. This also means no turret armour either, but if I want to do two vehicles on a dio, they kind of have to match in terms of time points!

On to the build. Rear hull plate and lower hull first.

Upper hull in place

TUSK I style ERA side skirts.

Holes drilled in the turret sides

Starting the turret detailing.....lots to go!

And that's progress so far. All that was done in one evening, so this might not be that long a build. But painting and weathering will take some time, as will incorporation into the final diorama.

More on the background of the vehicles in the future, along with diorama ideas and references.

I know its not much to look at just now, but your comments are most welcome as they keep the motivation going.

Cheers!

Post by **timtamtung** » Fri Jan 02, 2015 10:06 pm

Great start! Really looking forward for more. Are you going to attempt to apply your own non slip texture?

I can't wait to start mine, but will do after building my german panther which I've been longing to do

Post by **jbellos1** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 7:04 am

Fantastic start Gav! These are going to be awwwsum!

Post by **DaMadModler** » Sat Jan 03, 2015 11:56 pm

Looks like two very nice kits sure to be a very cool build cheers m8

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 8:09 pm

Update 2

timtamtung wrote:Are you going to attempt to apply your own non slip texture?

Yes mate, I was planning too. Still deliberating on how to do it though. I was looking round some references and it seems hard to determine for sure how pronounced the anti-slip really is. Its easy to do it out of scale on a kit you see. I was thinking of just trying to stipple Mr Surfacer on the areas and see how that looked.

Jonathan and Da-Mad Modeller - cheers guys. I am enjoying the Abrams build so far.

So the meat of this update. I made very quick progress with the lower hull and basic turret construction, but that's where things slowed down. The turret is where the majority of smaller parts and assemblies are in this kit, so the time for cleaning parts etc has increased. Plus I have gotten into the realm of the dreaded Tamiya mesh and "cut-your-own" periscope lenses!

Ok so we left off last time with the bare bones of a turret with some details on the top added. Here is what I worked on next:-

I tackled the wheels first.

Then the gun was assembled. Two piece gun barrel which is a pain, but it sanded up ok with the Ultimate sanding sponges.

Then it was onto that horrid Tamiya mesh. For those who haven't made a modern Tamiya kit, whenever the real vehicle would have netting, or wire mesh in a storage basket or the like, Tamiya provide some horrid mesh you have to cut to size yourself! Once painted it looks ok, but in reality some PE would be better. The two storage baskets on the turret rear went together nice and easy though.

Along with the storage bins on the turret sides. These were followed by the turret side baskets.

(on the sides I had to fill some holes I mistakenly drilled. They are the mount points for the turret ERA blocks, but the TUSK I tank I am doing didn't have these).

Then came the first of the two cupolas with the mounted MG and armoured windows.

It was then time for the range finder. Now I have used Norm's method for vision blocks etc on several builds now to great effect. I thought I would share it here again though so people can see how its done.

1. Take a party favour, or any coloured foil.

2. Cut a bit out (duh!)

3. The part you are gluing too....(again duh!)

4. Glue the foil to the part, ensuring the coloured bit will be facing in the right direction (so glue the foil to the reverse face of the clear part). I use Revells Contacta clear glue, but PVA or any other transparancy glue will work.

5. Wait for it to dry, trim the excess foil off and install the part. Easy!

I used two colours here, and the colours are a touch of artistic license as in real life the vision blocks etc. aren't that brightly reflective. But its a cool effect nonetheless.

I then moved on to the commanders cupola.

Tonights job is doing the .50 cal for this, and then the armoured windows as well.

Comments and criticisms are most welcome.

Cheers

Post by **timtamtung** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:18 pm

That's cool, u got the same plans as me. I will be stippling Mr surfacer 500 onto the hull and turret. I will link you some photos Norm sent me about the locations of nonslip. Recommend you print out too.

Good use of Norm's optics haha. I tried it out on my tank and looks great. Just be careful when u prime, you don't prime the optics.

Post by **JediBoer** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:37 pm

Gav, that is one cool trick using the sweets wrapper! I'll have to try that now!

Post by **schweinhund227** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:44 pm

Nice work thus far ...

keep it up !

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 9:47 pm

Oh I won't, will be using liquid mask. Already done this technique on several builds now.

Oh and I have this for the non-slip locations..

Post by **Russ72** » Mon Jan 05, 2015 10:17 pm

Good luck with the Anti Slip Gav, keen to see your technique.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 12:48 pm

Cheers Russ. When I did anti-slip before on a Challenger 2, I used poly cement and a toothbrush! But I am not sure if its really "scale enough" to work. Its also quite a bit of work, that using Mr Surfacer might just be a bit better. Will see! I want to allude to a rough surface, without actually sticking bits of sand on, because I personally think that even fine sand is out of scale for that kind of thing. If you scale that down, its more a kin to pebble dashing than anti-slip!

Post by **Gwalke** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 12:54 pm

Looking good.

Post by **kiwigav** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:37 pm

Nice progress Gav
Like the tip on periscope glass, got plenty of material littered around the house from the kids

Post by **rodrant** » Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:50 pm

Hi Gav ,

follow now your fantastic build , I recently bought the Abrams Tusk from Tami a, thought to build it on this Sig, but then will be the Merkava from Meng ...but maybe will do some Build on it in next Desert Rats GB so interested in your build , also would like to see the anti-slip technique of yours as will need to use in the Merkava, I saw some guy doing it with sand and seems ok , but agree with you as the sand is a bit out of the scale , I watch and will try to use Tamiya sand texture paint , but will be an experiment to see if it works , I'm afraid that shouldn't be easy to cover the tank surface but will try in my build this ...also I buy some AFV Brand anti slip stickers , but do not know the result and if it will be easy to use them

well this is a great thread so far , like what I see here !

oh , this is a huge tank ...I watcj my box and really it is HUGE

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jan 08, 2015 9:21 pm

rodrant wrote:I recently bought the Abrams Tusk from Tami a, thought to build it on this Sig, but then will be the Merkava from Meng ...but maybe will do some Build on it in next Desert Rats GB so interested in your build , also would like to see the anti-slip technique of yours as will need to use in the Merkava, I saw some guy doing it with sand and seems ok , but agree with you as the sand is a bit out of the scale , I watch and will try to use Tamiya sand texture paint , but will be an experiment to see if it works

Hey mate, cheers for the kind comment! Yeah I did anti-slip before by roughing the surface with a toothbrush after softening it with ploy cement. It worked quite well, but it was tedious work! I am at the stage now where I need to do the anti-slip on the Abrams too, so need to give some things a go. I saw a video where someone used sand on a Merkava, which worked well, but the Merkava is quite an obviously "rough" looking tank, so it suits. The Challenger 2 and Abrams are less obviously rough.

Update 3

This will be the 2nd to last build update for the Abrams. I will update soon with the final pics of the model built, but for now, lets see where she is up to.

The commanders cupola recieved its .50 cal with armoured screens.

And the cupola itself got its various armoured screens.

The vapour condensing unit which sits in the rear turret basket was built and installed.

Cupola's just sat in position for now.

The CITV was installed.

Smoke launchers are installed now. I used the foil trick again on the drivers vision blocks. Went for gold this time. Swanky!

Tow cables were put in place along the turret sides and here is the state of the vehicle as she stands.

The hatch for the loaders cupola is on the bench just now, having also recieved a vision block with foil. There were a few EPMs on the inside face of the hatch which needed cleaned up, as the hatch will be open. I have also built the two crew figs who come in the kit. I have a set of Masterbox US tanker figs, which I think I might end up using for the Bradley, and have the tank crew all mounted up still.

I will be using various bits from this set to fill the turret baskets, and fill the top of the turret with. I also have a set which includes cooler boxes as well, so one or two of those will be put on as well. I might raid the OIF M1 Abrams kit I have, as it comes with a load of rucksack stowage etc. We shall see.

That's it for this update.

Until next time, cheers!

Post by **timtamtung** » Fri Jan 09, 2015 10:34 am

I bought this MIG antiskid product. Should be beautiful, give it a go if you can get it...

[youtube]EyScM0jkMzY[/youtube]

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:51 am

timtamtung wrote:I bought this MIG antiskid product. Should be beautiful, give it a go if you can get it...

Cheers mate, I will take a look at that when I get home. I tried on a small area last night to see if I could get a good look with Mr Surfacer. I might need to try some more, and I may get a thicker Mr Surfacer (I have 1000 I think, perhaps 500 might work better). But I could see a nice effect in it, just depends if it stands out enough to be visible after paint.

Post by **schweinhund227** » Fri Jan 09, 2015 7:17 pm

Gav0909 wrote:
timtamtung wrote:I bought this MIG antiskid product. Should be beautiful, give it a go if you can get it...
Cheers mate, I will take a look at that when I get home. I tried on a small area last night to see if I could get a good look with Mr Surfacer. I might need to try some more, and I may get a thicker Mr Surfacer (I have 1000 I think, perhaps 500 might work better). But I could see a nice effect in it, just depends if it stands out enough to be visible after paint.

I will give that Mig Stuff a go, i have seen that video before and I am ready now to try something new
beside GESSO.... it works but I can always mix and match products for various effects on areas or surfaces
needing A/S texture.

as for Anti skid showing thru paint later Gav. Don't worry too much ! Some areas are treated with aggressive grit while others... no so much !
or... some of its roughness has degraded overtime or painted over...

I know you will get to a point where you call it ... Good enough. if you pass that point... then you risk to over do it !

Good luck with the project !

its bound to be eye popping !

Post by **eightfooticeman** » Wed Jan 14, 2015 2:55 am

Gav, you're not playing around are ya? Great progress, the Abrams looks sick dude!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:43 pm

Update 4

Thanks for the comments, they help with the motivation!

Progress has died off a little recently. I lost my mojo a little for some reason. I am having to spend perhaps more time than I would normally with the girlfriend just now as she is out of work and bored all day so when I get in from work I can't just disappear to the bench as I perhaps would do, and the same come the weekend, I am off doing other things. This is fine, but leads to lack of modelling. Also I still can't paint anywhere, so modelling itself is a little pointless just now as I can only build.

Anyway enough of the sob story, here is what I have done since the last update.

So it was time to crack on with the anti-slip.....and it went better than I thought! I was using Mr Surfacer 1000 (I have 500 now, but haven't used it yet, will try it on the turret).

I masked off the areas I wanted to apply the texture too and simply put on a layer, allow it to get tacky and then just stippled with an old paintbrush. The effect is quite nice, it roughs the surface up at a good scale I think.

I added some wires to the headlights, and to the smoke launchers as well.

I started building up bits of stowage as well. Some from the Abrams kit itself (ammo boxes etc.) and the peli case and rucksack from the Meng set. I need to go and get my other set of equipment which has some cooler boxes in it. I may also raid my OIF Abrams kit for more rucksacks etc. to hang from the turret. I will also need some stowage for the Bradley anyway.

I then started on the MB figures. These guys will be walking out in front of the Bradley having just disembarked (means I can display the Bradley with the back door open to show off the interior).

I think the plan will be to finish the figures, get the anti-slip done on the turret, and then crack on with the Bradley.

Thanks for looking.

Post by **eightfooticeman** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:58 pm

Very cool idea Gav. What are you using to get the texture in the Mr. Surfacer 1000?

Post by **JediBoer** » Sun Jan 18, 2015 4:59 pm

I always wanted to know how the detail looked of the Master Box figure kits and I'm impressed. Great job Gav!

Post by **timtamtung** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 12:26 pm

Looks awesome mate. Loving how everyone has their own way of making antiskid. It's like it aint no abrams without no slippage

Post by **schweinhund227** » Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:13 pm

Liking the Mr. Surfacer.. A/S Effect !

Well done indeed !

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Tue Jan 20, 2015 4:45 pm

Cheers all.

I feel a little stalled out on this project. I don't really want to build it all then paint it, I prefer to build some, paint some. And I still can't paint easily where I live, bloody rules. So I will still creep along with the building, but until I can sort some painting area, it won't move that fast I don't think.

Its also bloody cold here just now, and so the idea of sitting the garage painting is not appealing in the slightest! !

Post by **gaz45** » Fri Jan 30, 2015 1:13 pm

Nice work there mate

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 6:08 pm

Just a quick update to say......I painted something!!!!

Finally got off my butt and set up a wee area in the garage for painting. Only got primer on the M1 hull just now, but its a start!

cheers for now

Post by **Gwalke** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 10:06 pm

Looking good

Website · Post by **Panzermeister36** » Sun Feb 01, 2015 10:59 pm

What primer to you use? Abrams looks great so far

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Tue Feb 10, 2015 5:08 pm

Panzermeister36 wrote:What primer to you use? Abrams looks great so far

Its just Vallejo Grey Primer. I don't have any real issues with the Vallejo primers if I am honest.

Had a busy few days the other week at work and so I haven't managed any bench time. But I might see if I can't get something done tonight. I don't see myself finishing this SiG within the time, but I will continue this and get as far as I can. I will then just continue the builds in the normal vehicle section.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 11:46 am

So I bothered myself to get out into the freezing cold garage the other night to put some paint on the M1 finally. It was all going swimmingly, put down some pre-shading using Vallejo Dark Earth, then a base coat of Tamiya Dark Yellow, followed by some nice highlighting using the Dark Yellow with a few drops of white.

Then came the bummer, I was carrying the model and stuff back into the house and a few flakes of snow got onto the model, and have then left watermarks in the bloody paintwork!

Needless to say I was pissed off, and so I think I will have to repaint most of it to sort the issue, as there are marks covering areas of shadow, base and highlight, so one coat of the highlight in places won't sort the problem. And since I won't get the highlight colour mix exactly the same again, that will mean a complete respray off all highlighted areas.

I have some pics of the paintwork in progress before the issues, and will also put some up of the current state when I get home later. But just to say that there has been progress! Not much, but its a start! Not going to have this done by the SiG end date, which is a shame, but hey ho.

Oh and the girlfriend got herself a job at last, so once she is settled there we can look for our own place again. Fingers crossed we have the finances to afford somewhere which has a suitable space I can set up a man cave, or a garden where I can make a shed cave.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 9:02 pm

Update 5

So here are the promised pictures of the M1 as she stands.

Preshaded with Vallejo Dark Earth

Part way through the highlighting

Skirts and turret highlighted

Damn water marks from the snow! Now I got to repaint the bloody thing!

And here is my heat source when painting in the garage. Infra-red heater. Nice for keeping me warm, but it doesn't warm the space so the air stays cold, and so does the model etc. Prob not great for spraying, but its my only option for now.

I won't be finishing this within the SiG time limit but I will keep updating this with any updates between now and then, after that I will move the thread to the armour WIP section.

Ciao for now.

Post by **rwsmith14** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 2:18 am

Great stuff !!!

Post by **schweinhund227** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:39 pm

Sad about the paint ! the overall effect was really awesome !

Hope you can fix it !

Best of luck.

Website · Post by **Panzermeister36** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 3:20 am

Dang that's shame - it was looking awesome!

Hope it's better to you next time when you repaint it!

And I wish you good luck on the man cave hunt too!

Post by **JediBoer** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 1:19 pm

Damn! Looking great mate! Pity about the water marks! I'm glad we don't have that kind of weather around here!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 7:07 pm

I got out to the garage today and repainted the M1. I re-did the preshading in some areas, and then re-basecoated, then re-highlighted.

I then added some final highlighting to the entire model. The shading and tonal variations are very subtle, but the effect would have gotten lost under weathering anyway.

Next up will be a varnish and then I need to go remind myself what order I need to do the weathering in etc, as its been a while since I did an armour piece.

Here's how the M1 now stands.

Cheers

Post by **kiwigav** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 7:22 pm

Nice progress Gav. good recovery from the water marks. Really looks sweet, a pitty you wont finish on time. But better to have a model you are happy with, rather than rushing it. Great work

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Mar 11, 2015 10:27 am

Quick wee update from last nights progress. Nothing much worth showing at this time, but I have the tyres painted on the wheels now, the ID panels on the turret baskets are painted in white, and other details (tow cable, lights, rubber mudflaps) have all be painted in. I have also painted the .50cals.

I still need to mask the view ports on the commanders cupola and then prime and paint that as when I primed the rest of it I hadn't masked and it got forgotten for a time.

I also need to prime the tracks, so will get that done at the same time. Then its a case of gloss coating the wheels, hull and turret ready for weathering. I also need to get some colour on the various stowage bits and the crew.

Cheers for now.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Tue May 26, 2015 10:00 pm

So its been a while since I last updated this thread, or any relating to my own models!

No excuses, just simply struggling a little to put meaningful modelling time in around work etc. I am getting there, and finding more time to spend at the bench. I am also still hampered somewhat by not being able to airbrush as and when I would like, and where I would like ideally.

Anywho, I got off my arse and put a gloss coat down on the M1 ready for the first round of weathering. I had already gone round and added some chipping to the model. Once the gloss coat was down I gave the model a pin wash with AMMO wash for US Modern Vehicles. Once dry this was cleaned up with some cotton buds and thinners.

After the wash I added the few decals to the model and considered what kind of filters to use. I am still new to the use of filters, either pre-made ones or oil dot filters. I have used both in the past, but I am still a bit unsure about the best way to use them. I had already added some tonal variation in the painting stage and so didn't want to alter that too much with filters. I tried some dot filtering on the hull, but found that it made little difference, and I don't want a really streaky look either. However I did put a single layer of Grey for Desert Yellow MIG filter all over the flat surfaces of the vehicle. And I like the subtle effect this gives so will leave things there with the filters.

Next up will be a flat coat prior to starting on the environmental weathering, such as dust. I will also be adding some streaking to the TUSK armour etc., but this will be minimal and will be more to show rain washed dirt/dust. I may do targeted rust streaks coming from some paint scratches/chips.

Cheers for now.

Post by **Tiger131** » Tue May 26, 2015 10:19 pm

Looks quality that looks one impressive kit got the dragon m1a2 might get my mitts on this kit after seeing your quality build

Post by **Coen** » Wed May 27, 2015 3:25 am

It looks freakin fantastic Gav!
Nice work so far bud. You certainly haven't lost your touch.

Post by **kiwigav** » Wed May 27, 2015 9:24 pm

Very cool Gav nice work

Post by **schweinhund227** » Thu May 28, 2015 2:00 pm

The M1A2 is looking awesome but why the CIP panel is painted White ???

only the British have such things... I don't recall seeing white CIP's on Yanks MBT's.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sun May 31, 2015 11:36 am

Cheers for the comments guys.

So since the last update I have gotten a matt coat onto the tank, basecoated the tracks, and finally undercoated then painted the commanders armoured cupola. I will be giving this a gloss coat then a pin wash today, as well as a touch of light chipping, and a matt coat, then its up to the same stage as the rest of the model.

After that I think all that is left really is to finish the tracks, install them, install the TUSK skirts, finish the various stowage parts and install them. Then I will add some streaking in places, some more chips perhaps, and then it will be onto dirt and dust, and grime.

Enjoy the pics of the build so far.

The perils of having to airbrush in the garage when you live in Scotland....

Bloody rain! That's twice in this build that rain has spoiled this model. Luckily this was remidied by some brushed on varnish.

Mock up of potential stowage placement etc. Still a WIP.

Painted commanders cupola. Still to be pin washed etc.

WIP crew

Basecoated tracks.

And just for you Norm, repainted CIP panels.

And that's it for just now.

Until the next update.

Post by **Coen** » Mon Jun 01, 2015 2:37 am

Nicely weathered Gav.